State Rep. Frank Farry has introduced new legislation to establish criminal penalties for killing a pet during a crime.
The Republican lawmaker from Langhorne said he was spurred to create House Bill 2237 after reading news coverage on the shooting death of a dog during a robbery-gone-wrong in Bristol Township’s Levittown section earlier this year. In the incident, 22-year-old Montel Johnson allegedly pulled the trigger and shot Cash, a Cane Corso breed, dead during a failed robbery at a home on Goldengate Road before sunrise on April 18. The dog jumped between its owner, Robert Ferry, and Johnson during the failed robbery. Ferry told LevittownNow.com the day of the robbery that the dog came out as Johnson tried to make his way into the Levittown home where his children slept.
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Two other suspects were captured shortly after the incident and Johnson was captured last month by federal agents in Philadelphia. He was charged with several offenses including conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to commit burglary and other offenses, but no charges related to the killing of Cash.
“I was told that there is likely no criminal offense with which he could be charged since ‘cruelty to animals’ requires malicious intent and he is already charged with more substantial crimes,” State Rep. Farry said. “It is inconceivable to me that a person could unlawfully enter the property of an individual and shoot the property owner’s dog with impunity.”
The bill will provide a sentencing enhancement for when a domestic animal is killed during the course of a burglary or criminal trespass.
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State Rep. Farry said a “sentencing enhancement will force the perpetrator to take responsibility for the assumption of that risk and for the harm actually inflicted.”
Ferry, the owner of the dog, said in an interview that he was shocked when the local lawmaker called him to tell him about Cash’s Law.
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“I think it’s absolutely great that this is happening,” Ferry said. “It’s not just helping us but other families who are going through what our family went through.”
Cash lived with Ferry and his family since he was eight weeks old and bonded in them during nearly two years they had him. “Our time with him was brief but it was enough to bond with him,” he said.
“It isn’t difficult to imagine how much worse the Levittown homeowner’s situation could have turned out if not for Cash’s actions,” State Rep. Farry said. “I think the least we can do to honor this dog’s loyalty is ensure there is due punishment in cases of deliberate animal cruelty.”
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Ferry said he wanted to note the Levittown community for their support to his family after the incident and also thanked Farry for the proposed law.
“It’s not just helping us but other families who are going through what our family went through.”
